During a wide-ranging discussion before the vote was taken, councillors thanked submitters for their thorough presentations and conduct during the hearings. Some said they had learnt a lot through the process. The majority though reiterated the view that fluoridation should be an issue for central government not councils and gave this as the reason for voting to retain the status quo.

Council has submitted a remit via the Wellington region to the upcoming Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) Conference in July urging Government to amend the appropriate legislation to absolve councils from the responsibility for deciding on fluoride.

Mayor Ross Church told Councillors today he would be speaking ‘very strongly’ to the remit at the LGNZ conference in July.